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Friday, April 01, 2016

Needles Found At King Arthur's Court

Two children pricked by discarded needles

Two children, ages 4 and 5, playing outside their apartment complex had their fingers pricked by discarded needles found in an old tree stump. The syringes were thought to have been tainted with blood. BC Paramedics attended and transported both children, accompanied by their parents to local hospital for assessment and treatment. Testing procedures and protocol are in place through Island Health for these types of occurrences.

The incident occurred on Tuesday March 29, at approximately 5:30 pm, at 564 Fifth St, also known as King Arthur's Court. Attending officers seized the syringes and disposed of them safely. Officers were told, while investigating the incident, that upwards of eight needles had been found on the ground earlier in the day.

"This is a parent’s worse nightmare. Parents should not have to worry about their children being exposed to bio-hazards that could potentially have a long term impact on their health and well-being”, said Constable Gary O'Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

Property recommended as 'nuisance property'

In the past 12 months, the Nanaimo RCMP has attended to numerous documented complaints at this complex. Fights, weapons complaints, drug possession, drug trafficking and various other various disturbances are common occurrences. As a result, this apartment complex has been recommended as a nuisance property. The Nanaimo RCMP Bike Unit oversees the City of Nanaimo Nuisance Property Bylaw. Although 32 properties were monitored in 2015, only two eventually received this designation.

"Our officers, working in conjunction with City bylaw officers, will assist property owners to ensure compliance. However, at the end of the day, if the property owners are not prepared to address outstanding issues, then this designation is another way to ensure compliance” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

This picture shows the tree stump where the needles were discarded.
The needles were stuck in the hole at the top of the stump, sharp edges facing
upwards. At the base of the stump, one of the orange caps from the discarded
needles is visible. The tree stump has since been removed from the parking
lot.